The world of tennis is in shock after what happened during the men’s Roland Garros semi-final between Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner . In the 22nd minute of the match, with the score still in the balance and tensions palpable in the Philippe-Charier camp, Djokovic is said to have uttered a very heavy insult against the young South Tyrolean tennis player, calling him a “bastard” with microphones (unintentionally) open.
But to leave the audience and the experts open, it was the sinner’s immediate reaction that froze the stadium with a gesture and a coldness that will remain in the history of this sport.
According to reports from multiple international broadcasters, the insult was captured by a microphone placed near the bench. Djokovic, visibly frustrated after losing his serve for the second consecutive time, reportedly turned to his box with harsh words:
“I can’t believe that bastard is playing like that…”
Even if the phrase was not intended for the public, the microphone clearly conveyed the Serbian’s words, and the reaction on social media was immediate: within minutes, #djokovic and #sinner were at the top of X’s (formerly Twitter) global trends, with thousands of users expressing outrage, surprise and support for the Italian tennis player.
Jannik’s icy response
But the most memorable moment was not the insult itself, but the sinner’s reaction .
During the immediate change of courts, Sinner said nothing. He didn’t make any brazen gestures or seek a clash. He simply groomed Djokovic for a second, then got up, returned to the court, and served three consecutive aces , closing out the match in less than a minute.
At the end of the game, as Djokovic walked to the back of the court with his eyes cast down, the sinner approached the net and, without raising his voice, said to him:
Error 500 (Server Error)!!1500.That’s an error.There was an error. Please try again later.That’s all we know.
The Parisian audience, known for its composure, burst into spontaneous applause. Commentators like Mats Wilander and Flavia Pennetta called the moment “a masterpiece of class under pressure.”
The organization’s verdict
A few hours after the end of the match (won by Sinner in four sets: 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, 6-2), the French Tennis Federation (FFT) issued an official press release confirming that Djokovic would be fined 50,000 euros for anti-sports behavior and for violating the code of ethics.
This isn’t the first time Djokovic has found himself at the center of similar controversies. He was already disqualified from the US Open in 2020 for accidentally hitting a linesman with a ball. However, many analysts believe the Paris episode could have a much more serious impact on his sporting legacy.
The reactions of the tennis world were not long in coming.
Rafael Nadal , even without mentioning Djokovic directly, wrote on social media:
“Respect is the first point of every game. Always.”
Jasmine Paolini , semi-finalist in the women’s ranking, posted a photo with Sinner, with the caption:
“True champions never lose their heads. Or even their hearts.”
In Italy, the main sports newspapers devoted their front pages to Sinner’s gesture. La Gazzetta Dello Sport headlined: “Jannik on Ice: A Champion’s Response, Not Out of Controversy.”
Djokovic breaks the silence (halfway through)
Novak Djokovic avoided the post-match press conference, but issued a brief written statement:
“Tennis is passion, and sometimes emotions take over. If my words were perceived as offensive, I apologize. But my intention was not disrespectful.”
A statement that has left many skeptical, particularly Italian fans, who are calling for a more direct apology and a suspension from Wimbledon as a disciplinary measure.
For Sinner, this semifinal represents much more than a round trip. It was a triumph not only technically, but also morally. The speedy 23-year-old from San Candido has shown that he is ready not only to compete, but also to represent a new face for world tennis : determined, elegant, and unwavering.
And now, with the final upon us, one thing is certain: Jannik Sinner hasn’t just won a game. He’s earned the world’s respect.
